What is a non-pitched instrument?

A:

A non-pitched instrument is one through which no discernible pitch can be heard. All non-pitched instruments are part of the percussion family. Non-pitched instruments can be categorized as indefinite pitch instruments, unpitched instruments or untuned instruments.

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Orchestras classify non-pitched instruments as auxiliary percussion. Examples of instruments that are non-pitched are snare drums, crash cymbals, whistles, maracas, cowbells, triangles and air raid sirens. Non-pitched percussion instruments are typically used to maintain a rhythm or provide accents. The sounds created by non-pitched instruments are usually unrelated to the melody or harmony of the music. However, it is important to note that many non-pitched percussion instruments can produce a sound with a recognizable fundamental frequency, and therefore some can also be used as pitched percussion instruments.

Related Questions

The easiest instrument to learn is one that a student is eager to learn how to play; however, some instruments, such as the recorder or harmonica, are simpler in design and may seem easier to learn. When an individual is excited about and has fun with an instrument, they are more motivated to learn and usually acquire their skills more quickly.

The piano belongs to the chordophone family according to the Hornbostel-Sachs system of classifying musical instruments. This system defines chordophones as instruments that produce sound through the vibration of strings that are stretched between two fixed points. The piano is classified under the subcategory of board zithers as an instrument where the strings are held by a board with a resonator box.

Some familiar instruments that begin with the letter "R" include the recorder, resonator guitar and Russian guitar. Other instruments beginning with "R" include the rabab, rabel, ranat ek, rebab, rebolo, requinto, riq and ronador.